Introduction to Psychology

Flashcards covering key concepts, definitions, and historical perspectives in psychology.

What is psychology?

The scientific study of behavior and mental processes.

What are the goals of psychology?

To observe, describe, explain, predict, and control behavior and mental processes.

Who is considered the Father of Psychology?

Wilhelm Wundt.

What does structuralism focus on in psychology?

Breaking consciousness into objective sensations and subjective feelings.

What is the definition of behavior in psychology?

Any action that people can observe or measure.

What did Sigmund Freud emphasize in his theory?

The importance of unconscious motives and internal conflicts.

Describe the psychodynamic perspective.

It focuses on unconscious motives and early childhood experiences.

What key concept is associated with behaviorism?

The scientific study of observable behavior.

What do reinforcement and B.F. Skinner’s theory suggest?

Animals can learn to repeat or change behavior if rewarded.

What is the humanistic perspective of psychology?

It views human behavior as evolving and self-directed, emphasizing free choice.

What does the cognitive perspective focus on?

How perceptions, memories, and expectations influence behavior.

What is the sociocultural perspective in psychology?

It studies how cultural and social factors impact behavior and mental processes.

How does the biological perspective explain behavior?

Through the influence of biological processes such as genetics and the nervous system.

What are the two main types of psychological research?

Basic science and applied science.

What did Albert Bandura emphasize in terms of learning?

The role of observational learning and modeling behavior.

What is reinforcement in the context of learning?

A process where a behavior is strengthened due to a reward.

What does the term 'gestalt' imply in psychology?

It refers to how the human brain organizes perceptions into complete forms.

Name a major subfield of psychology focused on the mind's functions.

Functionalism.

What did John B. Watson contribute to psychology?

He defined psychology as the scientific study of observable behavior.